6.28.2010

After throwing a 99-mph heater to Delmon Young in the eighth inning of the Detroit Tigers' 7-5 win at Target Field Monday night, Joel Zumaya fell to the ground, clutching his elbow and wincing in pain.

Even his catcher Gerald Laird, who was 60 feet away behind the plate at the time, said he heard a pop. Zumaya was then helped off the field, and more information should be available shortly. However, it doesn't look good so good for the Motor City's Guitar Hero.

Update:According to the Associated Press, ZumZum is out for the season. The team has recalled reliever Casey Fien from the AAA Toledo Mud Hens; the righty will be on hand in the bullpen for game 2 against the Minnesota Twins.

1.27.2008

Two months after somehow managing to drop a box on his right shoulder -- which lead to reconstructive surgery -- Detroit Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya has been at home resting his rocket arm. The good news is, the midseason return predicted by doctors is still on course.

The 23-year-old righty will continue his rehab with some light tossing at the start of Spring Training and the club will assess his arm as the season progresses. That means no Guitar Hero, no heavy lifting, absolutely no arm wrestling, and no early cowboy-like returns to the mound.

8.20.2007

The Detroit Tigers will recall right-hander Joel Zumaya in time for Tuesday night's game against the Cleveland Indians.

The husky reliever, whose fastball tops out at over 100 mph, underwent surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his right middle finger three months ago. He landed on the disabled list May 3rd, taking with him a 1-1 record, 3.63 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 13 appearances.

Zumaya ranked third among AL relievers with 97 K's last season; his terrifying presence on the hill helping to end Detroit's 16-year World Series appearance drought.

In a related move, Detroit optioned righty Aquilino Lopez to the AAA Toledo Mud Hens on Sunday to make room for Zumaya. Lopez had one save and a 5.19 ERA in 10 games for Detroit, striking out seven and walking six over 17.1 innings.

Now might be do-or-die time for the slumping Tigers, who are entering this Cleveland series 1.5 games behind them in the AL Central. Next, they'll play a four-game set with the New York Yankees, who lead them by 2.5 games in the wild-card race.

5.06.2007

Joel Zumaya was warming up in the bullpen during the Detroit Tigers' 7-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals Saturday night when he "felt something pop" in the middle knuckle of his pitching hand. As he was rushed to the hospital for X-rays, manager Jim Leyland had this to say:

He threw a pitch in the bullpen, a fastball, and this joint, this (middle) knuckle, he felt something pop .

An extremely valuable member of the bullpen with a fastball that can exceed 100 mph, Zumaya is 1-1 with a 3.63 ERA over 17.1 innings for the defending AL Champs.